HomeNewsMESA+ and Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo sign Memorandum of Understanding

MESA+ and Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo sign Memorandum of Understanding

MESA+ and the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo expressed a convergence of will. On Monday 5 October, both parties signed a 5 year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). “This agreement further strengthens the collaboration of both institutions”, says Prof Dr Albert van den Berg, scientific director of MESA+.

Due to COVID-19, the official ceremony was hybrid. Albert explains: “Both in Tokyo and Enschede a few people came together to join an online call where both parties signed the document at the same time.” The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Japan, Peter van der Vliet, joined the ceremony.

Sharing knowledge

“This formal collaboration makes it easier to share knowledge, students and scientific staff”, says Albert, “The University of Tokyo is highly rated, especially in the field of nanoscience.” The MoU was agreed upon at the MESA+-day of 2019, after multiple collaborative research projects of both students and staff. “In 2014, six UT students performed collaborative research at IIS on the themes of MEMS, BioMEMS/Lab-on-a-Chip and Nanoelectronics”, says Prof Dr Wilfred van der Wiel, full professor of Nano Electronics.

Strengthening the collaboration

“This MoU aims at making a tie between MESA+ and IIS stronger, particularly, in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnologies”, says Prof. Kazuhiko Hirakawa, professor of Quantum Semiconductor Electronics at the IIS. “Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are often classified into so-called small sciences. However, in reality, they require various kinds of big infrastructures for nanofabrication and fine measurements.”

According to Prof Kazuhiko Hirakawa, this MoU between the two leading institutions will be a good thrust to promote nanoscience and nanotechnologies: “We can create new ideas by exchanging researchers and students as well as sharing important infrastructures.”

K.W. Wesselink - Schram MSc (Kees)
Science Communication Officer (available Mon-Fri)